VietNamNet Bridge - As people continue to call the "South China Sea", there is a subconscious message that this sea belongs to the country in the name.

Satellite image of the Fiery Cross Reef from Inquirer.

At the recent 26th ASEAN Summit, ASEAN leaders discussed the important issues facing the region, including the East Sea (South China Sea). This is an area with many potential hotspots, which could easily lead to conflicts due to disputes arising from sovereignty claims.

China, the most powerful claimant, is becoming more aggressive, despite many years of patient implementation of peaceful diplomacy of ASEAN.

The latest and most provocative move of China are activities to renovate and strengthen reefs in the Truong Sa (Spratlys Islands), including some areas big enough to build a runway for fighter aircraft.

This act is contrary to the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Clearly, China is developing its hard power in the heart of the disputed waters.

The binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) which the parties have committed towards seem to be frozen, especially as China has deliberately delayed negotiations.

China’s illegal construction activities at the reefs show that China is changing its stance from "aimless action" to "intentional expression". This is a move to change the status quo and it will make the process of finding solution to the East Sea dispute more complicated.

While waiting for the solution to the dispute, China is growing stronger both economically and militarily, while Southeast Asia may become fragile and prone to disagreement when the pressure of sovereignty causes internal split. This happened in 2012, when for the first time ASEAN could not reach a joint statement at the Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Cambodia.

The East Sea dispute has revealed the vulnerability of ASEAN. Under the influence of China, some ASEAN member countries will be tempted again. They will set priorities for their national interests above the ASEAN solidarity instead of pursuing both in parallel. This scenario is clearer when China  turns to  check diplomacy.

It will be difficult for some ASEAN member states when facing with the "stick and carrot" approach from China. ASEAN must be thoughtful facing at least three major challenges of Southeast Asia.

The first is how to maintain the unity and solidarity of ASEAN in the context of the East Sea dispute. To resolve the dispute, Prof. Carl Thayer proposed the first step towards the COC: ASEAN may sign the "Agreement on the Conduct in the sea of Southeast Asia", through which member states resolve their disputes, thereby strengthening ASEAN solidarity.

The second is how to stop the aggression of China in the future, in the context that the region is pursuing deeper economic relations with Beijing. It is time for ASEAN to promote maritime cooperation with trading partners that have benefits associated with the freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, such as the US, Japan and South Korea.

The third is how to calm the East Sea dispute even in the perception of public opinion. Perhaps it is time to change the international name of the East Sea. A reasonable choice is to use the name "South East Asian Sea" instead of South China Sea.

According to a spokesman of the Philippine armed forces, as people continue to call the "South China Sea", there is a subconscious message that this sea belongs to a country appearing in the name.

The online petition on renaming the South China Sea into the Southeast Asian Sea was launched by a foundation of Vietnamese founded in 2010, with at least 10,000 supporters from 76 countries. It was sent to the heads of 11 Southeast Asian countries as well as the UN and some international organizations.

The current chairman of ASEAN, Malaysia, said such an initiative from the people is conformity with the vision of the region. It is a people-oriented, people-centered ASEAN. It would be most appropriate if this initiative is developed into a common desire of 600 million ASEAN people and not only encapsulated in the 10 member governments.

NCBD